To: Committee on Natural Resources regarding Bill H.R. 2262
Submitted by: Nancy Freeman
Executive Director
Groundwater Awareness League, Inc.
P. O. Box 934
Green Valley, AZ 85622
520-207-6506

Date: October 17, 2007

Re: Water level depletion by mining in Arizona and the Southwest

Mining uses extravagant amounts of water in processing. The need for some protection for water levels on our public lands is necessary in the mining law itself. An efficient distribution of existing water, particularly groundwater resources, needs to be analyzed for the future. The criteria should include specific mining characteristics, regional surface and ground water hydrology, water requirements for current users, and water availability for the habitat and recreation for which the forest was created. According to the Winter’s Doctrine, the forest, or any public enclave, is entitled to the water that is necessary to support the forest, or public enclave. Definitive guidelines in the Mining Law will avoid long, protracted law suits over fair water distribution.

Tonto National Forest officials have made the following recommendations (1/25/99) for water management in the national forests:

Recommendations:

  • A Forest-wide ground water policy should be developed and implemented.
  • This policy should recognize the interconnection between surface and ground waters and the importance of protecting ground water discharges that maintain aquatic and riparian ecosystems.
  • This policy should recognize the potential impacts to adjacent water supplies from ground water development on the Forest.
  • Criteria for approval of proposals to develop ground water resources on Forest should be established.
  • Procedures to determine potential impacts to Forest resources and adjacent water supplies should be specified.
  • These procedures should utilize the latest and best technology available.

Contact: USDA Forest Service, Tonto National Forest
Attn: Grant Loomis
2324 E. McDowell
Phoenix, AZ 85006
(602) 225-5200
______________________________ ______

There is ample evidence in the Tucson Copper District that copper mining takes a heavy toll on groundwater levels. In the Green Valley area the levels continue to decline, particularly since Duval/Sierrita open pit operations were started in 1970. Their water use was some 27,000 to 30,000 acre feet per year (45% of the water use in the region), which almost matched the 31,000 afy deficit in the water balance of the region. However, due to housing development and agriculture using more water due to drought, in 2006, the deficit increased to 40,000 af. See the table of water use below: Attachment One: Current and Projected water demands in the Sahuarita-Green Valley area.

Present situation in Green Valley, AZ—

How much water do we need?
Current usage (2006) = 68,000 acre feet (af) annually

  • FICO (agriculture) 29,800 af
  • Duval/Sierrita copper mine 26,690 af
  • Golf Courses 4,435 af
  • Municipal 6,689 af
  • Sand and Gravel 465 af

How much water do we have? Total recharge of 28,000 af annually

  • Natural storm water 19,000 af
  • FICO incidental 7,000 af
  • Effluent 2,100 af
  • GWRD 650 af (paper water)

This is a deficit of 40,000 acre feet per year!

Contact: Arizona Department of Water Resources
Tucson Active Management Area
Ken Seasholes, Manager
400 West Congress, Suite 518
Tucson, Arizona 85701
kcseasholes@azwater.gov
520/770-3814

This trend is prevalent in mining areas in the southwest. In February, 2000, the Wall Street Journal featured a story on the water dilemma due to mining in Nevada. See story on next page:

 

Attachment One: Current and Projected water demands in the Sahuarita-Green Valley area from the report: Central Arizona Project Water Use Feasibility Analysis and Delivery System Optimization Study, September 1998
Contact: Arizona Department of Water Resources
Tucson Active Management Area
Ken Seasholes, Manager
400 West Congress, Suite 518
Tucson, Arizona 85701
kcseasholes@azwater.gov
520/770-3814

 

 

 


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